Area sports reports

The following is a list of sports events, youth league registrations and other news for metro-east residents wanting to participate in organized activities. Organizations or individuals with information for this list should mail the item to: News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, 120 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62222. Items also can be e-mailed to Norm Sanders at nsanders@bnd.com.

Baseball

ILLINOIS BRAVES -- The Illinois Braves select baseball club is forming an 8-under team for the 2010 spring and summer season. The team will play in a league, along with up to five tournaments. Interested players should fill out a profile at www.leaguelineup.com/illinoisbraves. Players will be contacted for a potential tryout.

BLAZE TRYOUTS -- The 14-underBlaze baseball team based in Highland will hold tryouts by appointment only for highly competitive level AAA/Majorbaseball in the summer of 2010. Approximately 60 games inclusive of several top level tournaments. Scott, 410-1137.

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ST. CLAIR STING -- St. Clair Sting 10-under select team holding tryouts in August. Prospective players must be 10 or younger as of May 10, 2010. Todd Herring, 624-5966 or e-mail stclairsting@yahoo.com.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SELECT -- Baseball league is accepting teams for divisions 9-under though 15-under for its fall league at Freeburg Sports Complex. USSSA-sanctioned games continue through Oct. 31. Glen Polacek, 939-6442 or e-mail gepkap@htc.net. Registration forms available at www.eteamz.com/SISBL.

MARYVILLE MANIACS -- Maryville Maniacs 11-under tournament team has limited openings for the 2010 season, including five to six tournaments. To schedule a private workout, call Tim Donaho at 334-5133 or 346-4372, or e-mail tdonaho@att.net. Players can't turn 12 before Sept. 1, 2010.

ORIOLES -- The Orioles 14-under baseball team will hold tryouts for the 2010 season 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at Field 2 in O'Fallon City Park. Team will play local tournaments and in a local league; looking for pitchers and experienced position players. 628-8208.

O'FALLON ATHLETICS -- O'Fallon Athletics 12-under team is looking for two players for the 2010 season. League play in O'Fallon, plus three to six tournaments and at least one out of the area. Joe Bauer, 830-7559 or e-mail joeb@oths.k12.il.us.

U.S. BASEBALL ACADEMY --Midwest Baseball Academy has changed its name to U.S. Baseball Academy. For information on training programs and locations, call 866-622-4487.

BETHALTO YOUTH LEAGUE -- Bethalto Junior Eagles Basketball Club hosting a youth basketball league for boys and girls teams in grades 3-5 November through January. Certified referees will be used. Fee: $300 per team; third-grade league will use 9-foot rims. Jonathan Denney, 259-1019 or 978-9133, Tom Lane, 830-2469 or Chris Zupan, 973-7917.

RJ KRAUSE ALL-STARS -- RJ Krause Sports club in East St. Louis/Washington Park is looking for games and tournaments for the 2009-10 basketball season. Boys teams for grades 4-8. Call RJ or Russell at 398-1201.

EDWARDSVILLE LEAGUES -- Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department is registering adults (17-over) Men's and Women's Basketball Teams for the fall league set to begin the week of Oct. 5. Registration and fees accepted through Sept. 10. Fee: $325 with a $25 forfeit fee. Non-resident fee is $20 a person or $150 per team. 692-7538 or register at www.cityofedwardsville.com.

JETS BASKETBALL -- A Little Shooters Instructional Program begins Sept. 11 for players in grades kindergarten-2. Fee: $100 for an eight-week program with Sept. 5 deadline. A Fall Boys High School League begins Sept. 12 and lasts for six weeks. Fee: $325 per team with Sept. 5 deadline. The Jets High School Girls Showcase is Sept. 26, giving players a chance to play before Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college coaches. Fee: $60 per player with Sept. 15 deadline. The Jets High School Boys Showcase is Oct. 4, giving players a chance to play before Division II, Division III, NAIA and junior college coaches. Fee: $60 per person with Sept. 22 deadline. A Men's and Women's Adult League begins Sept. 19 and lasts for 10 weeks. Fee: $450 with Sept. 12 deadline. 277-7111, e-mail tournaments@jetshoops.com or visit www.jetshoops.com.

JUNIOR KAHOKS -- Junior Kahok Basketball Association team tryouts for players in grades 3-6 are now being scheduled for boys living in the Unit 10 school district. Tryouts are 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and Sept. 23 for grade 3; 7:30-9 p.m. Sept. 23 and Sept. 28 for grade 4, 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and Sept. 30 for grade 5 and 7:30-9 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 for grade 6; all tryouts at Fletcher Gym at Collinsville High School. After tryouts, the programs runs from October through March with at least two practices per week, local league, tournaments and travel tournaments. Mick Webb, 344-8893 or 920-6820.

O'FALLON YOUTH BASKETBALL -- O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Department accepting registration for its Junior Panther Basketball Camps being held at the Panther Dome at O'Fallon High School. A girls camp for grades 4-8 is 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 21-25 directed by O'Fallon High coach Ryan Massey and staff. A boys camp for grades 4-8 is 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 28-Oct. 1 directed by O'Fallon High coach Rick Gibson and staff. Fee: $50. A youth basketball league for players in grades kindergarten-2 will run from October through December; a league for players in grades 3-8 will run from January through March. Fees: $45 for kindergarten; $50 for grades 1-4 and $55 for grades 5-8. Keith Richer, 624-0139 or e-mail krichter@ofallon.org, or Andrew Dallner, 624-0139, ext. 5102 or e-mail adallner@ofallon.org.

SPRINT TRIATHLON -- YMCA of Southwest Illinois will host a sprint triathlon 8 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Outdoor Center, 2437 Park Road, in Belleville. Race includes a 400-meter swim, 12-mile bike ride and 5K run; must pick up timing chip by 7:30 a.m. Fee: $45 for YMCA members and $55 for non-members. Team fees: $95 for members, $105 for non-members, with active military ID qualifying for a $10 discount. Race day entries add $10 late fee. Kendra, 233-1243 or visit www.mattoonmultisport.com.

STYX LACROSSE -- The O'Fallon STYX Lacrosse Club wil hold a camp 1-4 p.m. Oct. 3-4 for children 3-8 at the O'Fallon Family Sports Park. The camp is designed for experienced and non-experience players; equipment is required with limited equipment available for check out. Fee: $40; register at the O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Department located in the Katy Cavins Community Center. Keith Richter, 624-0139, ext. 5103 or e-mail krichter@ofallon.org.

RANDY WELLS GOLF CLASSIC -- The first Randy Wells "Striking Our Diabetes" Golf Classic and Dueling Piano Night is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 6 at St. Clair Country Club in Belleville. All proceeds benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honor of Lizzie Kurowski. Wells, a Belleville East graduate who also played at Southwestern Illinois College, is having a strong rookie season as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Fee for the four-person scramble is $200 per person and includes golf, cart, breakfast, lunch appetizers, dinner, drinks, awards, sports memorabilia auction and entertainment from dueling piano players from Big Bang in St. Louis. Tickets for just the dinner, auction and entertainment are $50 each. Sponsors are also needed. For more information, call Angela Daubach at 530-4164 or e-mail angela.daubach@gmail.com.

STONEBRIDGE FALL LEAGUE -- A fall golf league is now forming at Stonebridge Golf Club in Maryville. Call 346-8800 for more information.

ORCHARDS JUNIOR GOLF -- The Orchards in Belleville will offer a junior golf program that includes an instructional clinic for juniors 5-older on Sundays Sept. 13-Oct. 11. Fee: $95, or $225 including a junior set of clubs. Private golf lessons and summer passes also available. Instructors are PGA pro Dale David and his staff. 233-8921 or e-mail dale@orchardsgolfclub.

YORKTOWN CHILI OPEN -- Yorktown Golf Course in Belleville holding its first Chili Open four-person scramble at noon Sept. 19. Fee: $35 per person includes golf, skins, two drink tickets and chili; limited to first 36 teams. Golf carts are extra. 233-2000.

ST. LUKE'S SCRAMBLE -- 19th annual St. Luke's four-person scramble 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Yorktown Golf Course in Belleville. Fee: $40 per person includes golf, food, two drink tickets and prizes with proceeds to benefit St. Luke's St. Vincent de Paul organization that helps the needy. Bonnie, 277-7943.

CLINTON HILL SCRAMBLE -- The Labor Management Committee of the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois will hold a four-person scramble 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at Clinton Hill Golf Club in Belleville to raise money for the committee's work. Fee: $110 per person includes lunch, golf, skins game, cocktails and dinner reception with Sept. 15 deadline. 650-2681 or visit www.gatewaylabormanagement.org.

MELTON GOLF SCRAMBLE -- A four-person scramble in memory of Staff Sgt. Josh Melton, who was killed in Afghanistan in June while serving with the Illinois National Guard, is Sept. 26 at Governor's Run Golf Course in Carlyle. All proceeds from the event will benefit Melton's wife and daughter. Fee: $260/team. includes golf, cart and prizes. Kelly Bromley, 972-8207, or Mark Taylor, 972-6150, or e-mail meltongolfscrable@gmail.com.

FREW CREW BENEFIT -- A four-person scramble tournament benefiting the James Frew Fund is 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at The Orchards in Belleville. Fee: $100 per person includes golf, cart and dinner with silent auction. Contact: Frew Crew, Mary Ann Broemmelsick, 2662 Rockwood Point Court, Wildwood, Mo. $250 to sponsor a hole. James Frew, 10, is a fifth-grader at Wolf Branch Elementary School in Swansea. He has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Running

GINGERBREAD 5K -- Applications now being accepted for the Belleville Parks and Recreation Department Gingerbread 5K Run 8:30 a.m. Dec. 5 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Fee: Early registration is $18 per person, race-dany entries are $25. Awards ceremony to follow at Lincoln Theater in downtown Belleville. 233-1416 or register online at www.belleville.net.

BELLEVILLE FALL LEAGUES -- Belleville Parks and Recreation Department is accepting team registration for its ASA/NFA fall 10-under and 12-under and High School League at Laderman Park. The 10-under and 12-under leagues will be played at Laderman Park on Saturdays beginning Sept. 12. The High School League will be played Sundays beginning Sept. 13. Fee: $800 for 12-game doubleheader league with insurance and registration for 2009 and $900 for new teams. Top two teams awarded a berth to the 2010 ASA Northern Nationals, the next two teams awarded a 2010 NAFA Nationals berth.Todd Strubhart, 233-1416 or visit www.belleville.net.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS STING -- Southern Illinois Sting 12-under girls select fast-pitch team is seeking pitchers and position players for 2010 season. Team plays league games in Belleville along with six tournaments. Dave Fulton, 476-1194 or e-mail fultonr5@yahoo.com.

HIGHLAND ORANGE CRUSH -- First year Highland Orange Crush 18-under girls select fast-pitch team is looking for a pitcher. Will play four tournaments plus league play in Collinsville. Darren Zobrist, 401-2535.

HITTING LESSONS AT BALLS 'N STRIKES -- Balls-n-Strikes Metro, located at the Family Sportsplex in Belleville, has added former Belleville West softball coach Bob Yagge as its head softball instructor Yagge will be teaching girls fastpitch hitting for ages 8-18 5-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Oct. 19 There are six-week sessions lasting one hour each. Fee: $105. Marcus Barriger, 207-4549.

PLAYERS NEEDED -- Girls select fast-pitch softball teams are looking for 12-under and 14-under pitchers and position players and 16-under position players that are strong hitters. Teams are being formed for next season and will play 40-50 games. 401-3214 or e-mail softball1622@live.com.

TOMAHAWKS -- The Tomahawks 16-under girls select fastpitch team has an opening for an experienced pitcher and middle infielder for the 2009-10 season. Team will play approximately 80 games including fall and summer. The Tomahawks also have openings for 10-under and 12-under players for next season. Wayne Bendall, 407-5061 or e-mail tomahawkscoach@aol.com, or Mike Hopkins, 314-440, 7305 or e-mail michael.hopkins@philips.com (10-under or 12-under).

LADY ORIOLES -- The Lady Orioles 14-under girls select fastpitch team will hold tryouts for the 2010 season 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at Field 6 in O'Fallon City Park. This team already has a bid to the 2010 national tournament. Pitchers and position players are needed, looking to fill up to five spots with prior experience helpful. 628-8208.

BLACK WIDOWS -- The Black Widows 10-under Red team has two openings for the fall and spring season. Call Sam Hall at 978-9157 or e-mail hunter1636@charter.net to schedule a tryout.

ST. LOUIS ESPRIT -- St. Louis Esprit 12-under girls select fastpitch team is seeking two utility players; pitching experience a plus and 1998 birthday is preferred. Team will play a fall league in Kirkwood, Mo., and an 80-game season in 2010. Tanya Richter, 667-6632 or e-mailkids54us2@att.net

Soccer

BFC JUNIORS -- Belleville Futbol Club is running a Total Development Program for under-6 through under-8 boys and girls, designed to present an opportunity to build a solid foundation in technical and tactical development. Chris Cesa, 779-1347, e-mail: bfcsoccer@yahoo.com or visit www.bfcsoccer.org.

KNIGHTS SOCCER CLUB -- The Knights Soccer Club has several openings for a girls under-13/under-14 team for next fall. Herb Foerster, 977-6511 or e-mail Herbfoerster@yahoo.com.

GIRLS PLAYERS NEEDED -- A girls under-13 team has several openings for the fall outdoor season. Team will practice near South County and play in the SLYSA. Herb Foerster, 977-6511 or e-mail Herbfoerster@yahoo.com.

Tennis

KINGS POINT EVENTS -- Kings Point in Belleville offers a Little Stars program for ages 5-7, a Junior Development program for ages 8-11 and junior varsity and varsity programs for ages 10 through high school. Instructors include Kings Point pros Greg Nester, John Connors, Brett Zaron and Bob Keefe. 277-7715.

ST. CLAIR EVENTS -- St. Clair tennis pros Mark Brunner, Dave Kelley, Becky Brunner Holzgrafe and Brian Holzgrafe are available for private and group lessons. Leagues and clinics are forming for all ages. 632-1400.

Volleyball

DEMO'S SAND LEAGUES -- Sand volleyball leagues are forming at Demo's Sports Bar in Belleville. Leagues available Monday through Friday for co-ed teams along with a Sunday four-person power volleyball league. 236-7113, 236-1759 or 233-9134.

YOUTH LEAGUE -- Belleville Parks and Recreation Department and Belleville School District 118 sponsoring a fifth and sixth grade girls volleyball league this fall. Registration is being accepted now, limited to 66 players. Fee: $45 for District 118 players, $50 for non-district players. Todd Strubhart, 233-1416 or visit the Parks and Recreation office at 510 W. Main Street in Belleville. Forms also available at www.belleville.net.

CO-ED SAND VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE -- Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department is registering adult teams (17 and older) for a fall co-ed sand volleyball league. Games are Wednesday nights at Hoppe Park beginning Sept. 9 and will continue for seven weeks. 692-7538 or www.cityofedwardsville.com.

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